solid oak joins

[Drea]

My kreg drill bit is burning the wood (and not cutting) when I try to drill the pocket holes. Any recommendations? I want to build solid oak slabs by joining on the flat.

[Ken Darga]

Drea,

My first impression, of the wood burning, is that the drill bit is dull.

Resharpen the bit or try a new one.

[Drea]

How would I go about sharpening the bit? (Sorry to be such a newb).

Ken Darga said:

Drea,

My first impression, of the wood burning, is that the drill bit is dull.

Resharpen the bit or try a new one.

[Ken Darga]

You'll need some diamond sharpening steel tools.

Files, in the shapes and sizes to accommodate the cutting edges on the bit.

If you don't have the proper tools or know how to sharpen drill bits,

I'd suggest just buying a new drill bit.

[Ken Darga]

The sharpness of a drill bit, can be examined by using a magnifier, and preferably under a bright light.

Look closely at the cutting edges, of the drill bit.

If any shiny spots (''white caps'') are visible, the cutting tool needs sharpening, so as to result in a smooth cut.  

  Contact Kreg Customer Service---they may offer a sharpening service.

  Another point---

when drilling pocket holes, one needs to raise the drill bit often, so as to remove the wood chips and shavings.

Drill about 1/4'' deep at a time---

Raise the drill bit---

remove the shavings---

repeat---

until the bushing on the drill bit touches the drill guide block.

(Raise the drill bit, to a height so as to allow the drill bit flutes to expel the chips/shavings.

  Drill speed of 2000 - 2500rpm, is recommended.

  Allow the drill bit to do the work.

Apply moderate pressure, while drilling---

DO NOT apply excessive force.

(If ‘’squeaking’’ of the drill bit is experienced, a suitable lube can be applied to the drill bit cutting ends, flutes and ‘’drill stop’’ face, that makes contact with the drill guide block).

  The wood chips/shavings need to be removed, during the drilling process.

NOTE:  When the woods chips/shavings are not removed during the drilling process, the interference of the woods chips in the hole, will not allow smooth cutting--- excess heat produced by the spinning drill bit, will over-heat the wood chips and cause a burning effect, and not allow the drill bit to drill a satisfactory clean and smooth hole.

  An alternate, to as described above, a vacuum can be used, to extract the wood chips thru the accessory the port, on the drill guide block.  

This feature is great---it saves lots of time, when the set-up is at a drilling station, when drilling lots of holes.

  When one is drilling only a few holes, and the drill guide block is not fitted into the drill guide block housing/support, then use the method, as described above.

Also, one can blow away some the wood chips, by the ‘ol wood workers method---“ use your mouth’’, akin to whistling, while you work.

[Carlos]

I find that adding my dust collection unit to the dust collecting port that came with the jig works great, I don't have to go up and down when drilling as the dust collector is sucking up all the chips.

[darwincam]

Check out this page, it tells how to have Kreg sharpen your bit, I don't recall what the cost it, but it wasn't bad, I think all you'd be out is shipping fees...and the results would be far superior that doing it by hand.

http://kregjig.ning.com/profiles/blogs/drill-bit-sharpening-service

[Ken Darga]

There are skilled craftsmen, that visit this forum, that can put a keen edge, ''hand sharpening'' a drill bit.

So---how can you say, ''...the results would be far superior than doing it by hand.''

darwincam said:

>>>> ...and the results would be far superior that doing it by hand./p>

 

[darwincam]

Not say'n anything about skills and abilities of people here, but you have to admit there is a VAST range of skills and abilities that vist this forum, and some have the skills some don't.  I merely pointed the OP to the bit exchange service offered by Kreg.  By the time one purchases the diamond fies they'd own many new bits.  For the average Joe, in my opinion they will not have results as good as a replacement bit from Kreg.  If you want to spend your time sharpening the bit by hand Ken, knock yourself out.  For me, it doesn't even make it to the consideration phase.  YMMV.